Skate Canada has announced that Richmond, B.C., will host a qualifying competition on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2018/19 series. The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Canada 2018 will take place at the Minoru Arenas, from September 12-15, 2018.

“The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating series is a critical growth stage for skaters and we know they will be motivated to deliver remarkable performances at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Canada in September,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “We are proud to be able to welcome some of the top junior skating talent from around the world, including members of our Skate Canada NextGen team, to Richmond for this event. We hope to see many of the skaters at this event earn their spots at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, which we will also be hosting in nearby Vancouver, B.C., in December.”

Skate Canada last hosted a qualifying event on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating series in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec. Most recently, Skate Canada hosted the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in 2011 in Quebec City, Quebec, which took place in conjunction with the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ®. Skate Canada will once again be hosting the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ® this season, which will take place in Vancouver, B.C., from December 6-9, 2018.

“We are excited and proud to host the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Canada 2018,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Through our Richmond Sport Hosting program, our City has become a destination of choice for world class competitions. We welcome the competitors, officials and fans who will take part in this great event and look forward to watching these outstanding young athletes take the next step in their development.”

The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating series began in 1997. Each year, various ISU member nations host a total of seven qualifying events which conclude with the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ®. This year’s events take place in: Slovakia, Austria, Lithuania, Canada, Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Armenia, with the final taking place in Canada.

Each skater/team can be assigned a maximum of two events. Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their events. The top six from each discipline (men, ladies, pairs and ice dance) qualify for the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.ca. All tickets are general admission and ticket prices are $10 per day or $25 for a full (three day) pass. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under.